By Martin Banks - 19th August 2009
I want to reject the patronising talk that 'ordinary people' could not possibly understand the Lisbon Treaty
Frank Clarke
A new survey has found that 60 per cent of the country's voters say they have at least some understanding of the Lisbon treaty.
This compares with 44 per cent days before the referendum which resulted in rejection of the controversial document last year.
Some 38 per cent said they understand the treaty to some extent, 18 per cent understand it quite well and four per cent understand it very well.
The survey, called Behaviour Attitudes, was carried out for the Irish Referendum Commission.
The poll also showed an increased intention to vote, compared with April 2008, with 91 per cent extremely or quite likely to vote, and nine per cent quite or extremely unlikely to vote.
Writing for the Irish Times, Frank Clarke, Chairman of the Referendum Commission, admits that the treaty is a "complex document."
However, Clarke goes on to say, "I want to reject the patronising talk that 'ordinary people' could not possibly understand the Lisbon Treaty".
He adds, "Very shortly, every household in Ireland will receive a leaflet from the [referendum] commission detailing the main provisions of the treaty and explaining some key issues".
He concedes that "since the referendum on the treaty in June of last year, the treaty itself has not changed."
The Irish go to the polls to vote on the treaty for a second time on 2 October. If they approve the document, that will pave the way for it to be implemented on 1 January 2010.
Although latest opinion polls suggest a Yes outcome, a second rejection could throw the EU into further turmoil.
Meanwhile, an article in the International Herald Tribune suggests that if Czech President Vaclav Klaus is asked to sign the treaty if the Irish vote Yes in their referendum, he will have "the opportunity for the ultimate act of sabotage".
The article quotes Jaroslav Plesl, deputy editor of the Czech daily Lidove Noviny saying, "Klaus is the ultimate provocateur and would relish the opportunity to create a mess and to see Brussels officials go ballistic".
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